TEMPLEGATE tackles day one of Doncaster’s St Leger Festival confident of leaving the bookies in tears.
Read on for our man’s tips and back a horse at the best price by clicking their odds below.
DRAGON LEADER (2.25 Doncaster, nap)
He has won all three starts and took his form to a new level when winning a big sales race at York last time. He tanked along in front of 21 rivals and zoomed away to score by more than four lengths.
NELLIE LEYLAX (5.20 Doncaster, nb)
He won well here two runs ago and matched that form with another success at Haydock last time. He likes some give in the ground and is capable of defying a 6lb rise.
NIGHT SPARKLE (3.35 Doncaster, treble)
She has been a revelation this season and took another big step forward when winning a good Newmarket handicap over this trip last time. She has since moved to Andrew Balding and can more than hold her own in this higher grade.
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Templegate’s race-by-race verdicts
1.15
STRONG JOHNSON is a consistent sprinter who scored with plenty in hand at Redcar two runs ago.
He was then a little unlucky to finish only second at Ripon when he was carried across the track. He’s back off the same mark and can go close again.
Rambuso Creek will need luck in running as he comes from the back. He finished strongly at Pontefract last time and the excellent Billy Loughnane takes over.
Speedacus caught the eye with a close-up fourth at Newmarket and a 2lb drop in the weights looks generous. He has to prove his liking for 6f but has lots of speed.
Rathbone likes it here and scored at Sandown latest so is respected along with last year’s winner Temple Bruer.
1.50
GRANNY BUDGIE has done well since switching to handicaps with wins at Ripon and Hamilton.
There was some juice in the ground both times and she can improve in this stronger company.
Chic Colombine had lots left in the tank when winning at Haydock.
She should be fine with this slight drop in distance and William Buick stays on board. A 6lb penalty may not put the brakes on.
Bellarchi keeps winning and stepped up to this trip for a gutsy success at Hamilton. She keeps it simple from the front and will be a threat if getting her own way on the lead.
Summit looks the type to do better on handicap debut for William Haggas. The first-time cheekpieces may help too.
Jumeirah Breeze is a big price having run well on handicap bow at Leicester. This is tougher but she could run into the frame.
Heritage House and Chinese Knot have decent form but are going up the weights.
2.25
DRAGON LEADER has won all three starts and took his form to a new level when winning a big sales race at York last time.
He tanked along in front of 21 rivals and zoomed away to score by more than four lengths. The only slight doubt is the slower ground but there should be more to come.
Ryan Moore rode the tip on the Knavesmire but he’s claimed for Aidan O’Brien hope Johannes Brahms.
He was second at Royal Ascot before a cracking runner-up effort in the Gimcrack at York.
He has to give weight to his main rival but there won’t be much in it.
Komat ran well at Ascot latest and is proven with some cut underfoot. He is shortlisted.
Soldier’s Gold is another to go close at York latest and will be helped by this drop in trip. He has place claims along with Room Service who placed in a big field latest.
3.00
ROMANOVA didn’t have a massive amount to beat at Salisbury last time but this Golden Horn filly did it in style, scoring by almost eight lengths.
This is clearly a hotter contest but she can improve with the mile distance looking ideal.
Darnation landed Group 3 honours at Goodwood last time, pulling away from her rivals.
The ground was testing so conditions should be fine and there’s more to come after just three runs.
The only worry is whether this is coming too soon after that run through the mud 19 days ago.
Hard To Resist was third behind her last time when still looking very green. She has a gap to bridge but the experience will have done her plenty of good.
See The Fire showed a good cruising speed when winning on debut at Newmarket. She will improve for this extra furlong and looks a contender for Andrew Balding.
Meribella is another who scored first up at HQ and will also appreciate the longer trip for in-form Ralph Beckett.
3.35
NIGHT SPARKLE has been a revelation this season and took another big step forward when winning a good Newmarket handicap over this trip last time.
She has since moved to Andrew Balding and can more than hold her own in this higher grade.
Sumo Sam loved soft ground when taking the Group 2 Lillie Langtry Stakes and may get similar conditions again to prove that was no fluke.
One Evening went down in a photo at York latest and this daughter of Galileo should relish this extra test of stamina. She has few miles on the clock for the Gosdens.
Golden Lyra is another who likes it soft and ran close to her best when a close-up fourth at Deauville last month. This is tougher so she’ll need a bit more.
Ching Shih proved her staying power at Newbury and is another in the mix.
4.10
IRON LION makes his handicap debut having shed his maiden tag in good style over course and distance last time. He likes some give in the ground and has plenty more to come.
Wildfell was impressive at Goodwood last time and is now 31lb higher in the weights than the start of the season.
He has talent but the one worry is his sire has yet to have a winner over this far.
Kingfisher King can improve on handicap debut for William Haggas after a solid Hamilton second.
Sisyphus Strength went close at York over this trip and can figure again despite being 10lb higher than his last win.
If Not Not Now was last seen running fifth in the German Derby and is interesting dropping into a handicap for in-form Ralph Beckett.
4.45
EL JASOR was much improved when tackling this trip for the first time at Newbury.
He had only a neck in hand but was in front for a long way and did well to win the battle. There’s more to come with Charlie Fellowes’ runners in good form.
City Streak is another to relish this distance when scoring at Ascot. He’s up a fair 4lb and will be right there again for Andrew Balding.
In The Breeze has landed a couple of wins at Haydock and Tom Marquand stays on board after scoring there last time. This is tougher but he can be competitive.
Crystal Delight is down the weights and has shown his best recent form at this distance. He can nick a place on his favourite soft ground.
5.20
NELLIE LEYLAX won well here two runs ago and matched that form with another success at Haydock last time.
He likes some give in the ground and is capable of defying a 6lb rise.
Spanish Blaze got the job done well over this trip on handicap debut at Sandown. He is another going up the weights but has more to offer.
Mafnood just held on to score over a mile at Haydock last month and may be happier over this trip. He can improve after just three runs.
Politico scored around Chester latest from the front and the booking of Oisin Murphy is a plus back at handicap level.
Templegate’s tips
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